ERIC Number: EJ1121861
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jan
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
RE-AIM Analysis of a School-Based Nutrition Education Intervention in Kindergarteners
Larsen, Andrew L.; Liao, Yue; Alberts, Janel; Huh, Jimi; Robertson, Trina; Dunton, Genevieve F.
Journal of School Health, v87 n1 p36-46 Jan 2017
Background: Few nutrition interventions in kindergarten classes have been evaluated, and none has been tested for program effectiveness, implementation, and dissemination. Building a Healthy Me (BHM) is a nutrition intervention for kindergarteners that is classroom-based and includes a family component. This study evaluated the public health impact of BHM in California kindergarten classrooms using the RE-AIM (reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework. Methods: A quasi-experimental design assessed pre-to-post changes in nutrition knowledge, dietary consumption, and parent behaviors of 25 intervention classrooms (414 students, 264 parents); and postintervention differences in nutrition knowledge between the intervention classrooms and 4 control classrooms measured at postintervention only (103 students). Results: Intervention students improved in knowledge of food groups and healthy breakfast/snack options, and scored higher than control students in food group knowledge at postintervention (ps < 0.05). Parents of intervention group children increased their use of food labels, and intervention group children increased intake of several healthy foods and decreased intake of candy and fried potatoes (ps < 0.05). The BHM program reached 41% of kindergarteners attending public schools in California, and teachers implemented most lesson material. Conclusions: The BHM program was effective, implemented with fidelity, and broadly disseminated, highlighting its potential public health impact for kindergarteners.
Descriptors: Nutrition Instruction, Intervention, Kindergarten, Young Children, Public Health, Quasiexperimental Design, Pretests Posttests, Knowledge Level, Dietetics, Parents, Behavior, Behavior Change, Food, Public Schools, Program Effectiveness, Fidelity, Program Implementation, Program Evaluation, Evaluation Methods
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Kindergarten; Primary Education; Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A